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Source: Goal.com
Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Chelsea have a ‘big advantage’ over Manchester United heading into Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash at Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils travel to London in the hope of all but securing their 10th Premier League crown, a feat that would take them just one shy of Liverpool’s record 18 top-flight titles.
Chelsea will have had an extra day’s rest following their Champions League semi-final leg at Liverpool on Tuesday, United having played on Wednesday in Barcelona.
And Ferguson is convinced his team have not been given equal opportunity this weekend, and has slammed the broadcasting agreement between Sky and the Premier League as the cause of scheduling problems.
Not Fair
''The fixture is not fair in terms of its timing,” he said. “Chelsea's game was on Tuesday so they have had four days to get themselves ready, which is a big advantage, there is no question about that.
“It is not fair, but what can you do? If you shake hands with the devil you can't complain. Football did a deal with television and the game is subject to television's control nowadays.
“But we are suffering because of that. Chelsea have had four days' rest and we have had two and a half. That extra day makes a hell of a difference.
“All we have been able to do is rest the players. We stayed overnight in Barcelona, then we had a light training session at Barcelona's training ground.
“Being in the sun and having a day relaxing is probably the best thing we could have done. But it's not fair.
“It happened to us last year after the semi-final with AC Milan, when we had to play Manchester City on the Saturday lunchtime straight afterwards. We complained but they wouldn't listen to us.
“There's nothing we can do about it so we just have to get on with it.”
Intense Pressure
Ferguson’s ire no doubt stems from the immense importance of the clash, which could essentially close or blast open the title race.
United currently hold a three-point lead and a vastly superior goal difference, meaning victory today would essentially secure them their second consecutive Premier League title.
However, defeat would see Chelsea draw level on points, meaning the Red Devils would have to win their remaining matches against West Ham (home) and Wigan (away) to be sure of claiming victory.
And Blues boss Avram Grant believes United have a real test on their hands, pointing to their inability to seal the deal in recent matches, and is confident of Chelsea’s chances.
“We are in a position that, if we win against them, anything can happen,” said Grant. “We have to make sure we win first.
“It will be very difficult to do it, but anything is possible. You can see what has happened in the last few games. It shows it's not easy to play under pressure. They [United] have drawn twice [against Middlesbrough and Blackburn] because we've put this pressure on them.
“I'm optimistic by nature. We need to do our job, and that won't be easy, but I'm optimistic. If we win we'll be very happy, and I think we would be happy at the end of the season too.”
Unbelievable Record
Chelsea have not been beaten at home in 80 league matches, an English record that stretches back to 2004 when current Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri was in charge at Stamford Bridge.
And while Ferguson is appreciative of such an achievement, he insists that records are made to be broken, in this case perhaps sooner rather than later.
“It is an unbelievable record and one that they should be proud of,” the Scot said. “But somewhere along the line someone is going to beat them.
“Life is like that and hopefully we can do it. But it won't be easy. They're strong, powerful and experienced, and never at any time this season have I dismissed them.
“They don't make it easy for anyone.”

Sir Alex Ferguson believes that Chelsea have a ‘big advantage’ over Manchester United heading into Saturday’s top-of-the-table clash at Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils travel to London in the hope of all but securing their 10th Premier League crown, a feat that would take them just one shy of Liverpool’s record 18 top-flight titles.
Chelsea will have had an extra day’s rest following their Champions League semi-final leg at Liverpool on Tuesday, United having played on Wednesday in Barcelona.
And Ferguson is convinced his team have not been given equal opportunity this weekend, and has slammed the broadcasting agreement between Sky and the Premier League as the cause of scheduling problems.
Not Fair
''The fixture is not fair in terms of its timing,” he said. “Chelsea's game was on Tuesday so they have had four days to get themselves ready, which is a big advantage, there is no question about that.
“It is not fair, but what can you do? If you shake hands with the devil you can't complain. Football did a deal with television and the game is subject to television's control nowadays.
“But we are suffering because of that. Chelsea have had four days' rest and we have had two and a half. That extra day makes a hell of a difference.
“All we have been able to do is rest the players. We stayed overnight in Barcelona, then we had a light training session at Barcelona's training ground.
“Being in the sun and having a day relaxing is probably the best thing we could have done. But it's not fair.
“It happened to us last year after the semi-final with AC Milan, when we had to play Manchester City on the Saturday lunchtime straight afterwards. We complained but they wouldn't listen to us.
“There's nothing we can do about it so we just have to get on with it.”
Intense Pressure
Ferguson’s ire no doubt stems from the immense importance of the clash, which could essentially close or blast open the title race.
United currently hold a three-point lead and a vastly superior goal difference, meaning victory today would essentially secure them their second consecutive Premier League title.
However, defeat would see Chelsea draw level on points, meaning the Red Devils would have to win their remaining matches against West Ham (home) and Wigan (away) to be sure of claiming victory.
And Blues boss Avram Grant believes United have a real test on their hands, pointing to their inability to seal the deal in recent matches, and is confident of Chelsea’s chances.
“We are in a position that, if we win against them, anything can happen,” said Grant. “We have to make sure we win first.
“It will be very difficult to do it, but anything is possible. You can see what has happened in the last few games. It shows it's not easy to play under pressure. They [United] have drawn twice [against Middlesbrough and Blackburn] because we've put this pressure on them.
“I'm optimistic by nature. We need to do our job, and that won't be easy, but I'm optimistic. If we win we'll be very happy, and I think we would be happy at the end of the season too.”
Unbelievable Record
Chelsea have not been beaten at home in 80 league matches, an English record that stretches back to 2004 when current Juventus manager Claudio Ranieri was in charge at Stamford Bridge.
And while Ferguson is appreciative of such an achievement, he insists that records are made to be broken, in this case perhaps sooner rather than later.
“It is an unbelievable record and one that they should be proud of,” the Scot said. “But somewhere along the line someone is going to beat them.
“Life is like that and hopefully we can do it. But it won't be easy. They're strong, powerful and experienced, and never at any time this season have I dismissed them.
“They don't make it easy for anyone.”